Styling, performance upgrades ushers in Nissan GT-R
Nissan Motor Company pavillion was the cynosure of all eyes last week when the new power-packed machine onwheels was unveiled in South Africa. In the new muscle car, the automaker succeeded in bringing a touch of refinment inside the cabin. Making its South African debut at the Festival of Motoring is the 2017 Nissan GT-R, with a raft of styling and performance upgrades, mostly aimed at making it a more user-friendly.
One of the most striking reminders in the new GTR is that it has also had the most comprehensive styling update since its first introduction in 2007. This is evident with a new bonnet, bumpers, grille and side sills, for improved air-flow, engine cooling and stability at high speeds. Taking a closer look at it carefully, you will also note a slightly wider shoulder line, especially towards the back of the car, for a more road-hugging stance – and new 20 inch forged-alloy rims to reduce unsprung weight.
Nissan’s range topper is a supercar-stomping, high-tech dynamo. Its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 makes a mighty 565 hp while a six-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive team up to put all that power to the pavement. The GT-R’s quick steering, rigid structure and adjustable suspension can make even amateurs feel positively heroic from behind the wheel.
The interior has been redesigned with a new, simpler dashboard, upholstered with a single piece of soft nappa leather, and the number of knobs and switches reduced from 27 to 11 by moving many of their functions to new 200mm capacitive touch screen. The shift paddles now turn with the steering wheel, and the new carbon-fibre sports seats are also trimmed in nappa leather.
Under-bonnet upgrades, the GT-R’s 3.8-litre V6 gets extra boost from new turbochargers – derived from those on the GT-R GT3 racing car – increasing rated power from 397 to 408kW at 6800 revs, and torque from 628-632Nm over a wider band from 3300-5800rpm.
It breathes out through a new titanium exhaust system, tuned for improved performance and a deeper, gruffer sound signature, and the mechanism of the six-speed dual clutch gearbox fitted in unit with the rear axle has been revised for smoother, quieter shifting.
The suspension sub-frames have been made more rigid and the damping revised for improved stability and grip in quick lateral transitions, such as fast switchbacks or hairpin bends, and the new 20 inch forged-alloy rims are shod with specially developed Dunlop run-flat tyres. Clearly, this is not an all-new car. But what is amazing is that the Japanese automaker has managed to keep the GT-R basically at the peak of its game since its 2007 debut, but this is not to mention the original concept car, which debuted some 15 years ago in 2001).
Structural refinements at the front and rear of the unibody raise torsional rigidity 5 percent, resulting in better handling and stability. The Bilstein dampers are both more supple and more adjustable through Normal, Comfort, and R settings. Shift firmness and stability-control characteristics also are easily adjustable via console buttons.
The exterior design is still a mix of funk and function. Updates include a new grille that delivers additional cooling air to the engine, a hood that’s 30 percent stiffer to avoid deflecting at high speed, and a more effective chin spoiler. Horizontal sill plates and a delicately recontoured C-pillar diminish turbulence down the sides and over the back of the body. A vertical corner fence borrowed from the previous NIsmo GT-R and a more effective rear diffuser also improve aerodynamic performance.
In terms of volume, Nissan has the capacity to build approximately 5000 GT-Rs per annum and just like the Porsche’s 911, its blueprint has a few flaws, but persistent refinement has minimized the evil traits. This car’s combination of spectacular all-wheel-drive performance and back seats perfect for preteens graduating from virtual racing to the real thing is what helped it win over more buyers.
Nissan has the capacity to build approximately 5000 GT-Rs per annum. Like Porsche’s 911, its blueprint has a few flaws, but persistent refinement has minimized the evil traits. This car’s combination of spectacular all-wheel-drive performance and back seats perfect for preteens graduating from virtual racing to the real thing is what helped it win over more than 1100 buyers in its eighth year in the U.S. market. When the 2017 model arrives this July with a $111,585 base price, the smart fans will be back for more.
MIKE OCHONMA